2016 Vacquleyras Le Close des Cazaus
A cuvee of the Templars is a red blend with mostly Grenache and half-and-half Syrah, plus à Mourvèdre. The Knights Templars would have poured it, even though it is a wine produced in France. That’s because the Grenache varietal wasn’t produced until the late 1800’s. The Order of the Templars was founded in 1139, known as “poor fellow soldiers of Christ”. The Order lived in Jerusalem during the Crusades. The knights were skilled fighters, but a vast majority were non-fighters, who gathered monies, managed land, and expanded an international link of fortresses. In 1312, the Order was disbanded by Pope Clement V. The Templar’s legend and legacy remains centuries later. The Vineyard was once a Templar fort. The vines are decades old with a quarter of the wine from Mourvèdre grapes. The wine maker probably added this grape for its deep color as well as its smelly nose. It’s a hearty, thick skinned rascal that can smell like rotten eggs or of wet, wild animal fur…. That makes choice interesting in that Grenache is a demi-dry red with a red fruity taste. Another interesting point about Cuvee des Templiers: varietals being used are noted. Often, French wines merely identify it is a red wine. Frequently, a bottle’s label focuses on the estate, Royal family, or region. Even if we know the region in France, we have to best guess the grape. The Templar’s Cuvee gave an earthy floral nose. The taste was fruity, plum and raspberry. There is a meaty finish with a light smokey tannin. Really nice. Match this blend with hearty foods.
